Italy vs. Costa Rica: Live Player Ratings

Bryan Ruiz scored the only goal as Costa Rica beat Italy to secure their second appearance in the Round of 16 of a World Cup. The English were eliminated as a result, as Italy had to win this game in order to preserve their chances of qualifying.

The Azzurri struggled to maintain possession of the ball. They struggled to impose themselves and find that killer ball. Creativity was absent. Nothing was working. Italy tried to break down Costa Rica, but the South American squad stifled every attack.

All the while, the Costa Ricans bludgeoned the Azzurri, and they didn't slow down.

"We had a plan, but Costa Rica were smart to close down every gap for the passes to go through," coach Cesare Prandelli told RAI Sport (h/t Football Italia).

Check below for complete player ratings and analysis from both sides.

Italy Player Ratings

Player

Half-time rating

Full-time rating

Gianluigi Buffon

5

5

Ignazio Abate

4

4

Giorgio Chiellini

4

5

Andrea Barzagli

4

5

Matteo Darmian

5

6

Daniele De Rossi

6

5

Antonio Candreva

5

5

Andrea Pirlo

6

6

Thiago Motta

5

4

Claudio Marchisio

6

5

Mario Balotelli

4

4

Substitutes

Antonio Cassano

N/A

5

Lorenzo Insigne

N/A

5

Alessio Cerci

N/A

5

B/R UK

Half-Time Analysis

Gianluigi Buffon: Made a diving stop on Bolanos, but failed to paw away Ruiz's header.Ignazio Abate: Ineffective and unable to make crosses.Giorgio Chiellini: Has not marked his man. Almost gave away a penalty.Andrea Barzagli: Equally ineffective in the middle. Out of position and static.Matteo Darmian: Running well, but having a tougher time on the left side.Daniele De Rossi: Started the game making good passes, but slowly drifted.Antonio Candreva: Not involved or creating any good chances.Andrea Pirlo: Took time entering the game and delivered several good balls.Thiago Motta: Playing most of his passes backwards, not contributing much.Claudio Marchisio: Gave Balotelli some good passes, but faded.Mario Balotelli: Working for an opening, but failed to lob the ball over the goalkeeper on a breakaway.

Full-Time Analysis

Gianluigi Buffon: Not truly at fault for the lone goal of the game. He bobbled the ball a few times.Ignazio Abate: Contributed defensively but did not offer anything offensively. He is not a reliable crosser of the ball, and it showed.Giorgio Chiellini: Made a late tackle that saved the game from an even worse scoreline, but he was at fault several times in the first half. Committed a foul worthy of a penalty and failed to mark Ruiz for the winner.Andrea Barzagli: Slow and predictable. Completed most of his passes but did not prevent much.Matteo Darmian: Took too much time to get into the game. Was at his best when he pushed forward, but that happened too rarely.Daniele De Rossi: Started well but did not offer much support. Antonio Candreva: Lacked the invention that he had during the game against England.Andrea Pirlo: Played several great balls over the defence, but he could not influence the game.Thiago Motta: Too immobile, substituted after the first half.Claudio Marchisio: Faded away from the game and did not find a way back into it.Mario Balotelli: Ultimately lacked the service, but he did not take the chances that he had.

Substitutes

Antonio Cassano: Unable to put together meaningful passes. Looked out of sorts. Lorenzo Insigne: Made his first World Cup appearance, but did not affect the match. Did not provide the pace that he promises.Alessio Cerci: Isolated on the flanks.

Costa Rica Player Ratings

Player

Half-time rating

Full-time rating

Keylor Navas

6

7

Cristian Gamboa

6

6

Oscar Duarte

6

7

Giancarlo Gonzalez

6

7

Michael Umana

6

6

Junior Diaz

6

7

Bryan Ruiz

8

8

Celso Borges

6

7

Yeltsin Tejeda

6

7

Christian Bolanos

7

7

Joel Campbell

7

6

Substitutes

Jose Cubero

N/A

6

Marcos Urena

N/A

6

Randall Brenes

N/a

6

B/R UK

Half-Time Analysis

Keylor Navas: The Costa Rica goalkeeper was not very busy, as Italy veered offside and shot wide.Cristian Gamboa: Playing an enterprising role on the right flank.Oscar Duarte: Not afraid to push up, and almost scored off a lobbed header.Giancarlo Gonzalez: Made a great tackle on Mario Balotelli. Using his muscle.Michael Umana: Solid force in defence thus far.Junior Diaz: Playing some great balls on the flank and eager to push forward.Bryan Ruiz: Ruiz scored the opening goal minutes after a sure penalty was not given. He also triggered the first few offensive plays for Costa Rica.Celso Borges: Tough to beat in midfield.Yeltsin Tejeda: Moving well and playing strong, always on the ball.ChristianBolanos: Tested Buffon with a tough shot, forcing the 'keeper to make the diving stop.Joel Campbell: Drew a clear penalty from Chiellini that was not given.

Full-Time Analysis

Keylor Navas: Solid in goal. Was not tested all that much, but made all the saves when called upon.Cristian Gamboa: Equally solid on the right flank.Oscar Duarte: Fantastic in defence. Eager to move forward and found himself in the opposition's box.Giancarlo Gonzalez: Strong and comfortable all game. Ran with Italy's attackers and muscled them out.Michael Umana: Made huge tackles against Italy and did not shirk from a challenge.Junior Diaz: Phenomenal on the wings. Used his pace to beat Italy.Bryan Ruiz: The match-winner. Came off early in the second half but made most of his offensive contributions in the first.Celso Borges: Nodded a corner kick over the bar. Powerful midfielder, great combination play.Yeltsin Tejeda: Made a great partnership with Borges.Christian Bolanos: Looked energized from the start.Joel Campbell: Faded from the game, but drew a foul that should have been a penalty. Troubled Italy's defenders.